Tolkien Book 4
While I agree (with the other posts) that the sense of smell is one of the primary senses evoked in Book 4, I think the sense of sight is by far the most important. Before I get into that, however, I’d like to first add to the discussion of “smell.” Another key point not yet mentioned is how the sense of smell is used as a device to depict evil creatures’ mannerisms, particularly in navigation, as with Gollum (this is seen previously with the Nazgul): “And it was coming down head first, as if it was smelling its way.” (598) It is ironic that Sam uses the expression “Snakes and adders,” (598) when he sees Gollum following them, as these are words one could use to describe ‘the bad guys’ in LOTR, particularly the Nazgul (who see by sniffing, like snakes). It’s even more ironic (and not-so-subtle foreshadowing) that he follows up this statement with: “Look at him! Like a nasty crawling spider on a wall.” (598) (because Gollum is deviously leading them to the giant spider, Shelob). Later on, we discover Gollum uses his sense of smell (and hearing) to figure out day and time (682-83) and to realize location: “…in some mysterious way, by some blended sense of feel, and smell, and uncanny memory for shapes in the dark, he seemed to know just where he was again, and to be sure of his road ahead.” (615) He can also use it to detect evil and change approaching: “Poor Smeagol smells it, but good Smeagol bears it. Helps nice master. But that’s no matter. The air’s moving, change is coming.” (615) There are an unbelievable number of references to sight (and specifically the sense of sight, in relationship to light) in Book 4. They far outnumber references to any of the other senses. Book 4 might as well be called “Eyes and Light.” I know we were asked to write @250 words, but a) no one else has covered all of this yet, b) I think it’s valuable to take a look at some of the most significant references to sight and sight/light, and c) it took a long time to write all of this down, so darn it, it’s getting printed: SIGHT: Frodo talking about the shadow having an eye: “I feel all naked on the east side, stuck up here with nothing but the dead flats between me and that Shadow yonder.